Saturday, June 14, 2008

The Anniversary Box

In a couple of weeks, John and I will celebrate 18 years of marriage. I'm still trying to wrap my head around that one. Eighteen years!!! Wow.

I've been thinking about what to add to our Anniversary Box, and though I posted this last year, I thought I'd re-post it again today since so many people have anniversaries in June. *Several blog friends suggested I post this on WFMW, so here ya go! Enjoy*

The Anniversary Box

On Saturday, John and I will celebrate 17 years of marriage. Seventeen years is a long time. I love him more every day and can't imagine my life without him. Some of our years together have been hard, but most have been very, very good. He's my best friend and the most amazing father in the world and he makes me laugh every single day. I am richly blessed.

Several years ago, I created The Anniversary Box for us.

It is basically a collection of objects that have special meaning to us. Every year, we add one or two items to this box, items that symbolize something about the past year. Here are a few objects from our box. You'll see the program from John's seminary graduation, the cum laude medal (thank you very much) from my college graduation, a rock (that symbolized a very "hard" year for us), a photo of the first house we ever bought, a Colorado postcard (for the year we moved out west), and other things that mean something near and dear to us. The years that our children were born were extra-special and some of their most cherished baby items are in the box as well. We make some time each year on our anniversary to take each object out and remember special things about our lives as a couple. It's a really great way to mark time and to reflect on the many ways God has blessed us.

And lest you think I'm some smart, crafty chick with loads of time on her hands, let me quickly assure you I AM NOT! I got this idea somewhere (a scrapbooking magazine, I think) and loved it, and intended to do this for a long time, but didn't actually put our Anniversary Box together until four years ago. I suggest starting much sooner than 13 years into your marriage because once I started having children, my brain cells started dying off, and remembering things was a little, um, challenging. To help us keep track of the years, I made a contents guide for our box that I just keep adding to every time we place a new item in it.

I'm a sentimental girl, and this box is full of so many great memories. I hope we can keep adding to it for a long, long time!

Mer, Congrats!! Happy Anniversary- 18 years, wow! And such a creative idea... we do something similar with love letters and such. I imagine someday, after we're long gone, our kids and grand kids will love to go through it. I am sure your's will do the same! :)

Mer, What a cool idea. It reminds me of how the Patriarchs in the Bible set up altars of remembrance.What an awesome idea to take the time to remember those places you have journeyed...to see how much God has done.

That's such a neat idea! We're at 27 years, but I'm sure I can hopefully remember, and find things to put together one. My daughter made me a memory box when she was 10 or so and gave it to me for Christmas. I still look at it from time to time.Have a great week.Brenda

totally forgot to tell you, praise the Lord for your victory to have a marriage that has lasted so long! It's not an easy thing, and it doesn't just happen- it takes effort and strength from God... praise to Him!

This is a great idea! Half way through reading I was thinking "oh - I want to do this but it's too late - we've already gone 5 years" - but then I read you just started it after 13 years - so all hope is not loss. SO NEAT! Happy anniversary! 17 years is amazing!

Happy Anniversary, Mer. Ours was on the 2nd. I keep thinking I want to post about it, but have been so busy with all the kids' end of year activities and trying to post a verse a day that I've fallen short there.

But...I love this idea. Of course. I make these types of boxes for the kids; why not for us, too.

My unsolicited opinion? You should post this as a WFMW. It's such an awesome idea.

I love this idea so much, I can't even tell you! We celebrated 11 years last week. I don't know that I have the brain cells to go back in time, but maybe from here forward? I do have a box full of cards and special things, but not organized like that. Love it!!!

About Me

Hi, I'm Meredith. I'm a wife, mom, hiker, mountain climber, student, coffee drinker, Christ-follower, nature lover, and nutrition nerd. I grew up in the South but have called Colorado home for almost thirteen years and I love this state with all my heart. My family currently resides in a small, mountain community that sits at...you guessed it...7000 ft above sea level.
This blog is a bit like a family scrapbook for me. It's a place where I write about my family and lots of other things I love. Welcome!